Boat migrants

Book title: The Boat Refugees Author: Sharon Bala Publisher: Fawaasil Book classification: Novel Summary of the book: This is a story of refugees who succeeded in crossing the ocean and its dangers to find themselves facing terrorism charges in the new land. When the rusty cargo ship docked in Vancouver, carrying Mahindan and five hundred of his fellow migrants, fleeing the bloody civil war ravaging Sri Lanka, the young father thought that he and his six-year-old son would finally be able to start a new life. But these "boat refugees" are placed in a detention center to be considered, amid government speculations and news headlines that among them are members of an armed separatist organization responsible for many suicide attacks, making these terrorists a threat to Canadian national security. When these migrants are subjected to harsh interrogation, Mahindan fears that the desperate act he committed in Sri Lanka to fund his escape may ruin the chance for him and his son to gain asylum. The Boat Refugees is not only an exciting novel but also a timely work that provides a perspective to understand the current refugee crisis and encourages deep empathy with refugees.